Studying in this England is wahala (trouble)’

Analysing the experiences of West African students in a UK higher education institution

Bibliographic Data

ID14689976
AuthorsLouise Owusu-Kwarteng (University of Greenwich, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume46
Issue11
Pages2405-2416
Publication date2021-11-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueStudies in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0307-5079 • E-ISSN: 1470-174X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03075079.2020.1723528
OpenAlexW3005700563
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited19

‘Studying in this England is Wahala’ critically analyses social/academic experiences of 12 West African overseas undergraduate/postgraduate students in a London University. It discusses structural and individual factors impacting on decisions to study here, including perceptions of differences between quality of university education in the UK and ‘back home’. To analyse this, I draw on the ‘Push-Pull’ model and Gidden’s (1991) Structuration approach as theoretical frameworks. I also examine students’ experiences of adapting to life in the UK, views on teaching and learning experiences in the UK and their home countries, and strategies used to facilitate their educational success. In so doing positives and challenges faced by students are highlighted. These were largely shaped by staff-student relationships, some of which were positive and supportive. In others, racism was prevalent, which reflects ongoing debates about Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) student experiences in UK Higher Education institutions

Ethnic group · Higher education · Institution · Pedagogy · Perception · Political science · Qualitative research · Racism · Semi-structured interview · Social science · Sociology · Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees · Gender Studies · Global Education and Multiculturalism · International Student and Expatriate Challenges · Psychology